Drug laws set for major revamp, Thai ministry says

[webfact]

Drug laws set for major revamp, ministry says
Kamolchanok Theekhakul
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- TO COUNTER the persistent problem of prisons overcrowded with petty drug convicts, an amendment will be made o various laws under a joint agreement of state agencies to rehabilitate abusers or petty pushers while going after big-time dealers or smugglers.

More than 80 per cent of inmates at all 140 prisons around the country are serving sentences for drug-related crimes, which has caused major overcrowding.

Limiting the number of convicts going to jail by putting less serious offenders in separate facilities for rehabilitation would cut the chances of them learning about the drug trade behind bars from big-time dealers, Charnchao Chainukij, deputy permanent secretary of the Justice Ministry, said yesterday.

All nine narcotics-related laws will be combined into one.

The law will focus on redefining illicit drugs, with drugs for legal mainstream use controlled, and parameters set for which drug convicts will be jailed and which will undergo rehabilitation.

The measures involved and the entire process will be evaluated, with convicts punished through various means instead of just jail. Small-time dealers or users will be given penal options so they do not "fall prey" to big-time dealers who want to recruit and train them for operations including the notorious in-prison drug business.

Among the key changes will be the factor deciding the severity of penalties or length of incarceration. Currently this is the number of drug tablets or the amount or weight of drugs seized from suspects. Those found possessing two to five amphetamine tablets are regarded as users and account for 40 per cent of all drug-convicted inmates.

Charnchao said the success of rehabilitation was difficult to measure or estimate, as it needed to done on a voluntary basis. Most prisoners choose to complete their time in order to be released, and they are likely to return to abuse or drug-dealing afterwards.

Other agencies back plan

Permpong Chaovalit, secretary-general of the Narcotics Control Board, said he agrees with the changes planned by the Justice Ministry. He said it would not affect how his office worked, but boost the efficiency of drug suppression operations as a whole.

National Human Rights Commission member Dr Niran Pitakwatchara said the amendment would better prevent police or anti-narcotics agents from abusing their power. For example, the NHRC has received many complaints of police planting drugs on innocent people to extort money from them.

Asst Prof Apinun Aramrattana, director of Chiang Mai University's Northern Substance Abuse Centre, said demand for 'ya ba' in the North was high, making suppression difficult. The low arrest rate of drug lords had encouraged users or the "small fish" to get into big-time drug deals.

He said efficient preventive measures, through the support of families and the promotion of values, would be better than brute and blunt suppression. Long-term planning and implementation of a family institution was important and should receive government backing.

The amendment should proceed carefully and |thoroughly on a case-by-case basis for sensitive conditions, he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Drug-laws-set-for-major-revamp-ministry-says-30252662.html


-- The Nation 2015-01-26

[Bluespunk]

"National Human Rights Commission member Dr Niran Pitakwatchara said the amendment would better prevent police or anti-narcotics agents from abusing their power. For example, the NHRC has received many complaints of police planting drugs on innocent people to extort money from them."

How will it stop that happening, then?

[Seastallion]

"a joint agreement"... apt.

[Somtamnication]

I prefer the Thaksin method.

[catmaninoz]

A minor step in the right direction.

But how will this appeal to the bloodthirsty?

[NongKhaiKid]

"National Human Rights Commission member Dr Niran Pitakwatchara said the amendment would better prevent police or anti-narcotics agents from abusing their power. For example, the NHRC has received many complaints of police planting drugs on innocent people to extort money from them."

How will it stop that happening, then?

Will it stop their involvement and that of ' important ' people too ?

No, only deterrent action such as ' no mercy ' punishment will be a start. Oh !, slap on the wrist for me as I forget about whom I am speaking.

[Crazy chef 1]

note to TAT: legalize weed and you will draw legions of tourists to Thailand...and if you're smart put some tax on it-win win...can you imagine how much they will spent on food...

[catmaninoz]

note to TAT: legalize weed and you will draw legions of tourists to Thailand...and if you're smart put some tax on it-win win...can you imagine how much they will spent on food...

So much this.

I wont hold my breath though.

[Bluespunk]

I prefer the Thaksin method.

http://m.hrw.org/reports/2004/thailand0704/4.htm

[ColdSingha]

"More than 80 per cent of inmates at all 140 prisons around the country are serving sentences for drug-related crimes"

this stat alone proves prohibition does not work, "pushing a balloon under water" comes to mind

"Small-time dealers or users will be given penal options so they do not "fall prey" to big-time dealers who want to recruit and train them for operations including the notorious in-prison drug business."

the authorities cannot even contain drug demand and supply within a controlled prison environment. what hope do they have across a whole nation?

maybe it's time to take a more unorthodox approach to the problem as prohibition clearly does not work

[clockman]

Follow the money! The big people never get caught. Because of no transparency! Banking included.

[Seastallion]

"National Human Rights Commission member Dr Niran Pitakwatchara said the amendment would better prevent police or anti-narcotics agents from abusing their power. For example, the NHRC has received many complaints of police planting drugs on innocent people to extort money from them."

How will it stop that happening, then?

I think the idea is that if petty crime is not treated so seriously or with such serious consequences, the corrupt police have less opportunity to plant/extort as the

'criminal" would rather face the system than pay the bribe.

[Morakot]

All nine narcotics-related laws will be combined into one.

When?

[h90]

I prefer the Thaksin method.

shooting random people and later figure out if they had drugs or not?

[h90]

Follow the money! The big people never get caught. Because of no transparency! Banking included.

Can not, narcotic money is big in politics as well, and they make trillions. You can buy every government with it.

[smedly]

about a year ago I posted that Thailand had a severe drug problem that was well out of control, other crimes also increase as the drug addicts need money to feed the habit, more resource and effort needs to be applied by the police to combat this rampant scourge (yes I know so don't bother), and it is not just Thais that are involved, I have observed very strange behaviour around a so called Indian restaurant near were I socialise - they have a group of about 10 men who constantly get phone calls then emerge from the place and head off somewhere for 10-15mins (no food involved) I have also seen them standing on the footpath on 2nd road waiting for a pick up - it is pretty obvious what these are distributing something.

I feel very strongly about drugs because although most would say it doesn't affect them and they stay well clear the truth is it does effect all of us because as I said above it has ripple effect as users need to get money to feed the habit, theft robbery burglary bag snatches firearm crimes etc etc - it affects us all and feeds crime in Pattaya

[jcisco]

Its going to take another 50 years to change the attitudes of the bloodthirsty to something more practical. It is the governments of the world that instilled this attitude in the people rather than values and education to mitigate the problems creation.

It is a start, this has been a massive burden on society everywhere for far too long, outstripping even the negative effects of drug use, even that is for the most part a result of the prohibition itself.

Progressive steps in my books. I'll grant the Junta that.

[ezzra]

In Thailand, the equation is simple to calculate, life is cheap, drug's profit is huge...

and until someone will come up with the formula to change that equation, the big

bosses will continue to sacrifice the lives of the lowly runners and the petty dealers.....

[Dr Robert]

I feel very strongly about drugs because although most would say it doesn't affect them and they stay well clear the truth is it does effect all of us because as I said above it has ripple effect as users need to get money to feed the habit, theft robbery burglary bag snatches firearm crimes etc etc - it affects us all and feeds crime in Pattaya

You are absolutely on the money with this -yes it is a scourge and it effects all of us one way or another.

For those who advocate the use of recreational drugs, go somewhere else where it is legal (if you can find such a place)-meanwhile root out all of these pedlars in death and destroy them and their bankrupt morality so decent people can leave free.

[SinCityGr8One]

"National Human Rights Commission member Dr Niran Pitakwatchara said the amendment would better prevent police or anti-narcotics agents from abusing their power. For example, the NHRC has received many complaints of police planting drugs on innocent people to extort money from them."

How will it stop that happening, then?

How about installing Video Cams on ALL Officers? The recordings of the Police Intervention will help prove or disprove alleged criminal actions. No Video of alleged crime, No case and all charges are dropped against the Defendant. This is in use in the USA and Police misconduct and charges of Police brutality has dropped dramatically. Something has to be in place to Police the Police. This is a good start. IMHO.

[wlcart]

"I'm on a whiskey diet, lost 3 days already"

is your whiskey one of those drugs you refer to? Or only the other person's drug?

about a year ago I posted that Thailand had a severe drug problem that was well out of control, other crimes also increase as the drug addicts need money to feed the habit, more resource and effort needs to be applied by the police to combat this rampant scourge (yes I know so don't bother), and it is not just Thais that are involved, I have observed very strange behaviour around a so called Indian restaurant near were I socialise - they have a group of about 10 men who constantly get phone calls then emerge from the place and head off somewhere for 10-15mins (no food involved) I have also seen them standing on the footpath on 2nd road waiting for a pick up - it is pretty obvious what these are distributing something.

I feel very strongly about drugs because although most would say it doesn't affect them and they stay well clear the truth is it does effect all of us because as I said above it has ripple effect as users need to get money to feed the habit, theft robbery burglary bag snatches firearm crimes etc etc - it affects us all and feeds crime in Pattaya

Edited January 26, 2015 by wlcart

[rametindallas]

I prefer the Thaksin method.

You are one sick puppy!

Edited January 26, 2015 by rametindallas

[DaiHard]

I prefer the Thaksin method.

So you wouldn't mind being shot after a dispute with a neighbour results in them telling BIB you are a drug dealer?

[boomerangutang]

Since Colorado legalized pot, the state has garnered tens of millions of dollars in tax money, and crime has gone down.

The draconian laws used by SE Asian countries to criminalize and kill people, are mean-spirited and wrong. How many peoples' lives have been unfairly destroyed by SE Asian authorities and their stupid drug laws? Millions.

There are so many things wrong with SE Asian drug laws and the way they're enforced, that it boggles the mind. It's even weirder when you consider the old men making and enforcing the laws, are themselves sauced on the the world's (and Thailand's) most dangerous drug; alcohol.

[losgrad]

Prohibition does not work no matter how many resources you throw at it. The USA has the highest prison population per populace and more than 50% of prisoners are IN for drug-related crimes, yet there is no indication we are winning the "War on Drugs." I hope someday in the future we can look back on the dark ages when we handled a health-related issue with dark ages penalties.

Maybe Thailand will be a leader in this and the educated western societies can watch and learn. We shall see....

But with the 'drug forfeiture' asset laws, police task forces, correction officers unions, etc.. profiting from the prohibition laws, it'll be a very uphill battle to take this away. To be against drug prohibition does not mean one supports or encourages their use; only a different solution.

Edited January 26, 2015 by losgrad

[wlcart]

One does not have to "advocate the use of recreational drugs" to recognize that the current drug laws do not work. Addiction is a medical condition, not a legal condition. 80 percent of all inmates are drug related. That is insane. The illegality of drugs creates more crime and problems that the drugs themselves.

I believe your righteous attitude is extremely damaging.

I feel very strongly about drugs because although most would say it doesn't affect them and they stay well clear the truth is it does effect all of us because as I said above it has ripple effect as users need to get money to feed the habit, theft robbery burglary bag snatches firearm crimes etc etc - it affects us all and feeds crime in Pattaya

You are absolutely on the money with this -yes it is a scourge and it effects all of us one way or another.

For those who advocate the use of recreational drugs, go somewhere else where it is legal (if you can find such a place)-meanwhile root out all of these pedlars in death and destroy them and their bankrupt morality so decent people can leave free.

[z42]

I prefer the Thaksin method.

Definitely the most moronic comment i've read in 3+ years of reading Thaivisa forum. So you condone the random shooting of all and sundry (small kids included) who may or may not have been involved in the drug trade. Disgraceful doesn't cut it. Take a long hard look at yourself before unloading your next diatribe.

[Nowisee]

I feel very strongly about drugs because although most would say it doesn't affect them and they stay well clear the truth is it does effect all of us because as I said above it has ripple effect as users need to get money to feed the habit, theft robbery burglary bag snatches firearm crimes etc etc - it affects us all and feeds crime in Pattaya

You are absolutely on the money with this -yes it is a scourge and it effects all of us one way or another.

For those who advocate the use of recreational drugs, go somewhere else where it is legal (if you can find such a place)-meanwhile root out all of these pedlars in death and destroy them and their bankrupt morality so decent people can leave free.

Your thinking is part of the problem.

IF, you decriminalize it the price goes down and thus is more affordable. Take it another step and make it available for free. It takes away your argument.

Also, you have lost sight of the damage of other 'legal' drugs that cause much more damage. So while you stand strong on what ever hypocritical conviction you have... the rest of the world is slowly starting to get it. The 'war' on drugs is a huge failure.

Google - "drug laws Portugal". Enjoy the reading, open your mind.

Edited January 26, 2015 by Nowisee

[noitom]

Let's see how many big Thai prison officials are busted for corruption. That will be the test of how serious they are. They should be hauled off and handcuffed , indicted, tried, and jailed with serious long term sentences. Without this, their claims are meaningless. Mere Thai puff and bluster.

[jcisco]

Prohibition does not work no matter how many resources you throw at it. The USA has the highest prison population per populace and more than 50% of prisoners are IN for drug-related crimes, yet there is no indication we are winning the "War on Drugs." I hope someday in the future we can look back on the dark ages when we handled a health-related issue with dark ages penalties.

Maybe Thailand will be a leader in this and the educated western societies can watch and learn. We shall see....

But with the 'drug forfeiture' asset laws, police task forces, correction officers unions, etc.. profiting from the prohibition laws, it'll be a very uphill battle to take this away. To be against drug prohibition does not mean one supports or encourages their use; only a different solution.

Exactly how I feel towards the issue, I really want to see the end of this period of persecution and incarceration it has proven itself ineffective.